Policy Researcher

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Policy Researcher

Contract: Fixed-term contract (24 months), full-time

Location: Kings Cross, London

**Salary**: from £36,354 - £40,116 per annum, depending on experience, plus benefits Grade: 6

About the role

The ODI seeks a creative and ambitious policy researcher specialising in data, AI, and health policy, to deliver impactful, policy-driven research aligned with our mission of building open and trustworthy data ecosystems. Reporting to the Director of Research, the role involves conducting research across multiple disciplines, including computer science, data science, economics, and social sciences, to address policy questions, inform strategic positions, and influence public policy both domestically and internationally. Typical research outputs the role would lead on include policy briefs, white papers, academic articles, and visualisations, developed collaboratively to reflect the ODI’s core values of creativity, collaboration, and curiosity, ensuring inclusivity and integrity in all research practices.

Key responsibilities
- Conduct and manage research activities within projects on a variety of topics to inform our public policy work.
- Design and conduct desk reviews, systematic literature reviews, stakeholder mapping, surveys and interviews on areas related to data, AI, and health policy drawing on wider theoretical frameworks.
- Iteratively pull together, frame and shape our position and messaging in close collaboration with colleagues and other stakeholders where necessary. This is an ongoing activity as the ODI’s positions adapt - within the framework shaped by our 5-Year Strategy - to the changing context.
- Provide advice, support, and guidance to the ELT/board on policy issues.
- Ensure policy positions and messaging are embedded into outputs and communications, including supporting the executive chair, board, and members of the team in their public and press engagements.
- Coordinate with partners, collaborators and clients in scoping and delivering work.
- Support business development and fundraising activities
- Communicate research findings to a wide range of audiences through high quality outputs, presentations and workshops to ensure they have high impact.
- Work with the wider ODI team to define and shape the ODI’s research agenda, topics and policy positions.
- Support others in the ODI to strengthen their skills and knowledge in research.
- Represent the ODI at events and conferences, giving talks and sitting on panels.
- In collaboration with the Director of Global Public Policy & Corporate Affairs, contribute to the development and delivery of public affairs and thought leadership work.

General responsibilities

Work as part of a team, within the policy team and the wider ODI:

- Reflect and develop the ODI’s values and culture in the way you work to Participate in and contribute to team meetings and offsites
- Take time for professional required CPD, coaching and mentoring, both individually and as a team

Key skills and competencies

Essential
- Health domain expertise and a thorough understanding of live policy issues in the sector.
- Proficiency in research scoping and planning, choosing and justification of research methods, and research synthesis and communication.
- Proficiency in the execution of qualitative, quantitative and mixed research.
- An understanding of research impact, research integrity and open science/ FAIR principles.
- Proficient understanding of privacy/GDPR implications, especially for research practice.
- Experience working in a policy function in the UK on topical data and AI issues related to health and social care data.
- Understanding the UK political system and the existing UK regulatory landscape on data, AI and health.
- Strong communication and advocacy skills and a proven ability to write to meet your audience’s needs.
- Substantial knowledge of how data is published, accessed, shared, and analysed, ideally with experience working on projects about data access, open data, data-centric AI, health data stewardship and governance.

Desirable
- Experience in developing proposals for new work and funds.
- Some experience in computer programming e.g. Python, R, or alternatively proficiency in using low
- and no-code digital tools for data analysis for text, tabular, and graph data.
- Experience with using generative AI tools in a productive, ethical manner as a tool to carry out research.

Application Process

CV plus covering letter (no more than 1 page) demonstrating prior experience including:

- Your experience conducting and communicating research—including any use of desk reviews, interviews, surveys, or policy analysis—particularly in relation to data, AI, or health policy.
- How you’ve shaped or influenced public policy positions, organisational messaging, or strategic insights through research or stakeholder collaboration.
- Why you’re interested in this role at the ODI, and how your skills and values align with our mission